While the first Route 66 Car, Truck, & Street Rod Show way back in 2006 was just a little car show, it has now evolved to be the “Route 66 Freedom Weekend.” During the Freedom Weekend, downtown Gallup is transformed, with daily cookouts, a stellar Saturday car show, a police-escorted parade, family activities, and more. Day and night, kids and adults alike take part in celebrating one of America’s favorite things—the automobile—at one of America’s favorite locations, good old historic Route 66.

One of our favorite parts of the Weekend is the Sunday Toys for Tots Run, hosted by the Freedom Riders of New Mexico, though perhaps the most spectacular tradition of the Freedom Weekend is the “mass ascension” (no, this is not a cult thing,) of hot air balloons each morning. If you’ve never seen a New Mexico sky full of hot air balloons, you’re missing out!

We hope to see you and your family here in Gallup for this year’s Freedom Weekend!